Freese, Ruth Ellen, August 1981 - ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS OF THE GARDENS AND INTERIOR AREAS OF HOUSES B AND C OF THE SOUTHEAST ROW HOUSES FORT MICHILIMACKINAC, MICHIGAN Abstract: During the summer of 1981, in conjunction with the Mackinac Island Park Commission, the University of South Florida conducted archaeological excavations at Fort Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City, Michigan. The fort, located at the intersection of Lakes Michigan and Huron, has a rich heritage of both British and French occupation. Fort Michilimackinac, established around 1715, was inhabited by a French garrison until 1760. The garrison's primary purpose was to protect traders and maintain friendly alliance with the local Indians. In 1761, at the conclusion of the French and Indian War, the British assumed control of the upper Great Lakes Region and Fort Michilimackinac. Except for a one-year period, the British continuously occupied the fort until 1781. During their tenure, the British maintained a stringent military posture for defense of the region. With the threat of advancing American rebel forces, the fort was dismantled and moved to nearby Mackinac Island during the winter of 1780/81. Since the 1950's, the Mackinac Island Park Commission has been engaged in the excavation and reconstruction of Fort Michilimackinac. The excavation accomplished by the University of South Florida was a continuation of this process. During the past several field sessions, excavation had been conducted in the Powder Magazine and Rue de Babillarde areas. The work was done in association with excavations of a series of row houses and garden areas adjacent to the Rue de Babillarde. The 1980 investigation continued the previous work in the southeast row house. The primary objective was to locate the fence and wall ditches within the gardens and house areas of Houses B and C of the southeast row house. Additionally, the artifacts recovered from the excavations were analyzed to provide a basis for cultural interpretations for both the French and British periods. Although the wall and fence features were not completely excavated due to the end of the field season, archaeological evidence did support their presence. The remaining portions of the features will be excavated during the summer of 1981 and together with the artifact analysis, will assist the park commission in reconstructing both the structures and cultural habitation of the fort.